Hi all--I'm no biology wiz.. I was out the other day and saw this 'thing' buzzing around our Lilac bush. At first I thought it was just a bumblebee, but then noticed the front end looks like a moth.... and the rear end doesn't resemble a bumblebee at all.

Also--this was taken with a high-speed digital, flapping wings should have been stilled--just to give you an idea how FAST this thing's wings were moving.... I'm also very familiar with hummingbirds, and this was way too small--like the size of a bumblebee.

Maybe because it was the first time I'd seen anything like it, and wasn't thinking about getting this... Doesn't matter--it lands on our lilac bush just about every day. Capturing shouldn't be a problem.

February Beetle wrote:ps - Neat pictures! I think those would be so fun to see live, I never have.

Move to Sussex, Wisconsin--I just saw a second one around the same lilac bush. I tried snapping a few quick photos, but couldn't get a clear shot before he/she/it took off! I'll be tryin in the next few days, though, if it doesn't storm too bad...

BTW, thank you VERY much for the information regarding exactly what this is. I never would have guessed. I had people telling me it's some kind of hummingbird, others saying it looks like a moth--but I'd never heard of one that goes after Lilac...lol Thanks again!